Latest tweets from Atheist Alliance International

How religion poisons Brazilian politics

Written by Eli Vieira, Secular Humanist League of Brazil | 13 February 2012

Originally published on the Secular Humanist League of Brazil's blog here.

In Brazil we’ve witnessed a growth in the number of national representatives elected in 2010 who only work to try and limit individual rights of women, gays and other minorities hated by biblical text. They are known as the “evangelical bench“. I would rather call them “theocratic bench”, since I know not all evangelical Christians think their beliefs should be forced down everyone’s throats, let alone by the power of a purportedly secular government.

Since we’ve got constitutional separation of church and state, we should at least hope their actions were halted. But often government is very dubious. In 2011, Marco Feliciano, a representative who is also a preacher, tried to pass a bill to make religious teaching mandatory for students in public schools. Fortunately, his bill was rejected at once.

On the other hand, public schools have been forced to offer religious teaching for decades, with no orientation whatsoever of what kind of teaching this would be, rendering a not so unexpected result of public tuition hijacked by religious proselytising, as has been proved by human rights scholar Debora Diniz. The law says students can choose not to attend religious teaching, but the truth is that most of them are not even informed of this right.

Another example of religious intrusion is that last July the governor of the state of Rio de Janeiro has approved a law that forces public libraries to have bibles in their collections. No such thing has been done in relation to the Quran or the Baghavad Gita, of course.

Taslima Nasrin attacks 'cancer' of censorship in Indian society

13 February 2012

Taslima Nasrin - writer, feminist, atheist and a speaker at the upcoming 2012 European Atheist Convention - has attacked the "growing cancer" of censorship in Indian society.

"Writers and artists have become the soft targets of religious extremists," she said. "The authority tries to appease either Hindu fanatics or Muslim fanatics in India. All the political parties have different agendas, but they have no agenda or intention to value freedom of expression. It's a dangerous race, who can violate free speech more."

The relevant article in the The Guardian is here.

How Orthodox Judaism Treats Women as "Filthy Little Things"

Written by Zach, News Team | 13 February 2012

The recent violent behavior of Ultra-Orthodox Jews in the Israeli city of Beit-Shemesh against women (in an earlier reported case an 8 year old girl who was spat on and called "whore") has escalated.

The woman attacked happens to be the sister of a friend of mine. This link in a recent series of anti-female attacks in Ultra-Orthodox neighborhood is especially grotesque when considering that as she sought cover from the mob in a nearby apartment complex, the inhabitants shouted and insulted her, causing her to flee and wait outside for the police to arrive. Although several suspects were arrested, all were released after questioning and the incident is no longer being pursued.

The Ultra-Orthodox spokespeople have, predictably, come out to semi-condemn the violence while making sure to reiterate the inherent value of the Jewish perception of women. They say that Judaism, unlike secular culture, defends the honor of the woman by not letting her become a mere "sex object". None have condemned the background story which provoked this violence - the forced separation of women and men on public transportation by Orthodox authorities, relegating women to the back, of course.

For a brief representation of the Orthodox perception of women as "filthy little things", here is an op-ed by Yossi Sarid, ex-Knesset Member of the Meretz Party (which fights for secular rights and for the separation of Synagogue and State).

A recent poll has caused much public discussion regarding the religousity of the Israeli public and how it will effect the future of the country's identity. This poll is nothing but an indicator that fellow atheists and humanists in Israel need to start organizing themselves to become the voice of reason, if they want to prevent the submerging of Israel into the dark ages of the rabbinic authorities.

ynet.com is the internet version of the Israeli Newspaper - Yedioth Achronoth, one of the leading, most widely read newspapers in Israel.

Haaretz is an Israeli newspaper, affiliated with the International Herald Tribune (owned by the New York Times), and recognized as one of the only official outlets of the Israeli left and secular population.

Polish Pop Star Fined for Insulting Bible

18 January 2012

Polish pop star Dorota Rabczewska, a.k.a. Doda Elektroda, was fined 5,000 zoltys ($1,450) by a Warsaw court this week for trashing the Bible.

In a 2009 interview Rabczewska said she doubted the Christian holy book "because it's hard to believe in something that was written by someone drunk on wine and smoking some herbs," according to The Associated Press.

Critical Thinking and Educational Reform

12 February 2012

Leo Igwe from the Nigerian Humanist Movement, an Affiliate Member of AAI, writes about the need to reform Nigeria's education system to teach students to think critically and help them combat superstition and religious fanaticism.

http://www.momentng.com/en/news/6449/critical-thinking-and-educational-reform.html

Indonesian Muslims Call for Atheist Beheading

07 February 2012

Alexandar Aan, a 30-year-old father and civil servant who was beaten, fired from his government job, and then arrested by local authorities for daring to declare "God doesn't exist" on his personal Facebook page, is now facing calls for his beheading by local Muslims.

The trouble began several weeks ago when civil servant Alexander Aan posted a message on the Facebook page of Atheist Minang, a group of Indonesians with godless beliefs. It read: “God doesn’t exist.” The post so enraged residents in Aan’s hometown of Pulau Punjung in West Sumatra province that an angry mob of dozens stormed his office and beat up the 30-year-old. He was then summarily fired and later picked up by Indonesian authorities as part of an investigation of whether he violated the law by 'Insulting Islam'. If convicted of blasphemy, he could face a five-year jail sentence.

But none of this has been enough for some Muslim extremists, who have now called for his beheading. “He has hurt the feelings of the people in Minang society and damaged the religious structure by his posting,” said the local head of the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) Syamsul Bahri Khatib. The Indonesian Council of Ulama is the country's recognized authority on Islamic matters, and the secular government often follows the MUI's recommendations in matters of Islamic law.

Atheist Alliance International has called on the Indonesian authorities to end their persecution of Mr. Aan, as well as contacted several international human rights bodies and governments to put pressure on the Indonesian government. It has also started a legal relief fund for Mr. Aan's assistance. Supporters are encouraged to contribute to allow Mr. Aan the ability to defend himself and his human rights.

11 February 2012: A day to defend free expression

Written by Council of Ex-Muslims | 07 February 2012

The One Law for All 11 February rally for Free Expression is being held in London from 14:00-16:00 hours at the Old Palace Yard opposite the House of Lords. The Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain fully supports the action. Speakers are: Richard Dawkins (Scientist); A C Grayling (Philosopher); Alex Gabriel (Blogger); Anne Marie Waters (One Law for All); Caroline Cox (Peer); Derek Lennard (Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association); Faisal Gazi (Spittoon.org); Gita Sahgal, (Centre for Secular Space); Hasan Afzal (Stand for Peace); Jennifer Hardy (Queen Mary Atheism Humanism and Secularism Society); Jenny Bartle (National Federation of Atheist, Humanist and Secular Student Societies); Jim Fitzpatrick (MP); Kate Smurthwaite (Comedian); Kenan Malik (Writer); Lilith (Poet, Anti-Injustice Movement) ; Marco Tranchino (Central London Humanist Group); Mark Embleton (Atheism UK); Maryam Namazie (One Law for All and Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain); Nick Cohen (Writer); Nick Doody (Comedian); Pragna Patel (Southall Black Sisters); Rashid Ali (Centri); Rhys Morgan (Student activist); Roy Brown (International Humanist and Ethical Union); Rupert Sutton (Student Rights); Sohaila Sharifi (Equal Rights Now); Sue Cox (Survivors Voice Europe); Sundas Hoorain (London School of Economics Atheist, Secularist, and Humanist Society); Susan Zhuang (University College London Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society); Terry Sanderson/Keith Porteous Wood (National Secular Society); and Yasmin Rehman (Campaigner). There will also be messages from Jesus and Mo creator and Richard Dawkins. Iranian Secular Society’s Fariborz Pooya will be the Master of Ceremonies.

First national meeting of atheists in Brazil

Written by Alexandre F. Shimono, News Team | 06 February 2012

On February 12th, next Sunday (the anniversary of Charles Darwin's birthday), Brazil will have its first national atheist meeting in several State Capitals. So far, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás, Pará, Amazonas, Rondônia, Acre, Amapá, Maranhão, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Pernambuco, Sergipe e Bahia and the country capital Brasilia have confirmed the event.

The event was planned by Sociedade Racionalista (official website of the event) and it has support from several atheist/humanist/agnostic organizations such as LiHS (an Affiliate Member of AAI), ATEA, Ateus do Brasil, Ateísmo pelo mundo (NGO) and the blog from Paulo Lopes, a well known atheist journalist.

"Mobilization to arrange the meeting - despite of results it may have - shows that Brazilian atheists, specially the young, are starting to organize all over the country using the internet. The idea of the meeting was conceived on Facebook." says Paulo Lopes in his blog.

Sources: Paulo Lopes Blog and Ateus do Brasil.

Thank you AAI supporters!

05 February 2012

Thanks to generous donations from many AAI members and supporters renovations at the Kasese Humanist Primary School in Uganda are going very well!

AAI received a report from the school today noting that the kitchen and new toilets have been finished, and renovations are underway on a school dormitory so that children can board at the school - beds have been ordered and fencing of the area is in progress. Also, 20 class desks have been purchased for the new P.7 class.

Ply-woods being fixed as partitions of the rooms. Bwambale Robert, the school Project Director is seen in the photo above supervising the renovations exercise.

You can see more photos through the school's Flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ kasesehumanistprimaryschool.

All donations to support the Kasese Humanist Primary School are greatly appreciated! You can donate through AAI's Directed Donations option here.

Catholic Church Claims De-Baptism 'Impossible'

Written by Stuart Bechman | 31 January 2012

An official from the Roman Catholic Church claims that it is "impossible" to undergo "de-baptism" as a growing number of people in Western Europe and the United States request such a process. (See the related story: 100,000 Atheist Britons Seek 'De-Baptism' from Christianity)

Jeannine Marino, program specialist for evangelization & catechesis at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, told CP that atheists who seek to be "de-baptized" or "un-baptized" cannot technically do so. "From the Church's perspective, it is impossible to 'un-baptize' or 'de-baptize' someone because we believe that baptism permanently seals the person to Christ and the Church," said Marino. "People can stop participating in the Church, but we believe the grace of the sacrament has marked them forever."

One wonders how well the Church knows its own doctrinal scripture? Jesus is quoted in Matthew 12:31-32 that "blaspheming the Holy Ghost" is the one sin that can never be forgiven. An internet Youtube campaign to violate Matthew 12:31-32 by denying the existence of the Christian "Holy Ghost" went viral in the US in the 2000s, leading to tens of thousands of videos being posted on-line. In any case, the Church seems loathe to give up any of the numbers of followers they claim they have in support of the Church worldwide, even if it goes against Jesus' own mandates.

AAI launches appeal to support Alex Aan

25 January 2012

MEDIA RELEASE

Indonesian authorities must support freedom of speech and conscience

Atheist Alliance International launches appeal to support Alexander Aan

Atheist Alliance International (AAI) demands that the Indonesian government support freedom of speech and freedom of conscience by immediately releasing Alexander Aan from custody and dropping all charges against him, pursuing the perpetrators of the physical attack against Aan and repealing the country’s oppressive anti-blasphemy legislation.

“Alexander simply expressed his view that there is no god. In contrast, his attackers assaulted a real person and must be brought to justice,” said AAI President Tanya Smith.

“Indonesia’s anti-blasphemy laws are an appalling relic from the country’s period of dictatorship. They should be repealed as an essential step towards the freedom of Indonesia's people and the country's participation in the modern world,” Smith said.

Karl Karnadi, an Indonesian atheist associated with AAI said "Any religious person would say that gods of other religions do not exist. Why should Alex be arrested for effectively saying the same? Just because he is an atheist doesn't mean that he should be jailed. Religious and non-religious people are going to disagree and that may offend some, but that's a natural outcome from people having different views. Such an absurd law should not exist in Indonesia or in any other place."

Police in Dharmasraya, western Sumatra, on Friday (20 January) said that Aan had been charged with blasphemy for postings he made on a 1,200-member Facebook group.

Aan had initially been taken into ‘protective custody’ after he was beaten by a mob of religious zealots. There have been no indications that his assailants will face prosecution. Aan, a civil servant, has also been threatened with the loss of his job.

Muslim-majority Indonesia officially recognizes only six faith traditions: Islam, protestant Christianity, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism. Citizens are forced to choose from one of these traditions when applying for identification cards.

Atheist Alliance International has launched an appeal for donations to help pay for Aan's legal costs and to support the Aan family's living expenses while he is in jail, at www.atheistalliance.org/support-aai/donate (Legal/Support Fund for Alex Aan).

UPDATE: Please sign the petition to support Alexander Aan here.

UPDATE: Please contact the Indonesian authorities to call for Alex Aan's release and express your concern about Indonesia's blasphemy laws.

Boko Haram and the threat of political Islam

Written by Leo Igwe | 21 January 2012

Originally published in the Daily Times

Nigeria’s most deadly Islamist sect, Boko Haram, has just detonated mutiple bombs in the city of Kano. Curfew has been imposed and the city, the state and the entire nation is engulfed in tension, fear and uncertainty. Several lives have reportedly been lost. This group appears unrelenting in its murderous campaign.

Kano has joined the ranks of northern states -Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Plateau, Niger where the terror of Boko Haram holds sway. Religious crisis orchestrated by Muslim fundamentalists is not new to this northern city but these attacks have brought a frightening dimension to Islamic militancy in the region.

The Spokesperson of Boko Haram, Abdul Qaqa, told journalists that they carried out the attacks on the city because the authorities had refused to release their members arrested and detained by the police. So with these attacks, Boko Haram has sent very clear signals to the authorities in Kano and beyond- “Capitulate”, “Surrender”, “Do our Bidding”, “Join forces with us”, “Embrace our cause” or “Be destroyed”. Since last year, Boko Haram has carried out bomb attacks on several institutions including the UN building and police headquarters in Abuja. This militant group has targeted churches and southerners or anyone they percieved to be opposed to their cause of implementing sharia and enthroning political islam. It has declared a war on anybody, muslims as well as non muslims, opposed to or critical of its cause. This is characteristic of the totalitarian nature of political Islam- a social political and economic order based on Sharia.

A fringe movement that started with a group of Islamic preachers on the streets of Maiduguri a few years ago, has turned to a real threat to Nigeria’s corporate existence and a terror to the world.

Support Atheist Alliance International

Join as a Member

Donate

Sign up for AAI's

free mailing list

Be counted in Atheist Census at www.atheistcensus.com

AAI...internationally

Secular World